The gossip columnist who rightly accused certain Italian soccer players of betting offenses has now said that “half of Serie A is involved.” [Image: Shutterstock.com]

More to come

A gossip columnist dubbed the “King of the Paparazzi” in Italy who was right about certain prominent soccer players betting on games has now claimed that “half of Serie A is involved” and that the scandal isn’t over.

Fabrizio Corona made these comments after his hearing on Thursday morning in the Court of Milan regarding the possibility of having to adhere to an 18-month preventative special surveillance program. The judges concluded that he is not socially dangerous and as a result shouldn’t have to adhere to any form of surveillance.

said that not all of the names have become public

He spoke to reporters about the soccer betting scandal in the aftermath of the hearing. Corona said that not all of the names have become public and that it might take a couple of years to hear them. He believes that more Juventus players played a role in the scandal.

Naming and shaming

Corona initially began claiming last summer that many prominent players had involvement in betting on games, including current Newcastle United player Sandro Tonali and Juventus midfielder Nicolò Fagioli, both of whom subsequently admitted to betting on games and are serving suspensions.

Someone claiming to be Corona’s source on some of the allegations revealed in a recent podcast that he gave false information in return for €20,000 ($21,286) as he was in financial difficulty.

Some of the other players he singled out were Alessandro Florenzi, Nicolò Casale, Nicola Zalewski, Stephan El Shaarawy, and Nicolò Zaniolo, none of whom got any type of punishment. He even claimed that one player was betting on his own team while sitting on the bench during a game. Roma players Nicola Zalewski and Stephan El Shaarawy, as well as Lazio defender Nicolò Casale, are currently suing Corona for defamation regarding this matter.

A wide-reaching issue

Fabrizio Corona publishes stories on his own blog and has a colorful criminal record, such as blackmailing prominent people, including soccer players and politicians, by photographing them in compromising positions and then seeking payment. He has spent time in prison and under house arrest over the intervening years for various reasons.

claiming that agents and chairmen also do so

Corona believes that it’s not just players who are betting on games, claiming that agents and chairmen also do so. He explained that these people often start playing blackjack and slot machines in underground gambling dens before becoming victims of the underworld.